Women's Track & Field

Three Earn Little East Conference Honors

Jan. 18, 2011

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA-Three members of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's indoor track and field team have been honored by the Little East Conference.

Senior Eric Nygaard (Medway, MA/Medway HS) has been named LEC Men's Track Athlete of the Week, freshman Chris Perry (Attleboro, MA/Dighton-Rehoboth HS/BCC) was named LEC Men's Rookie Field Athlete of the Week, and freshman Ezra Banks (Boston, MA/Newton South HS) was chosen LEC Women's Rookie Track Athlete of the Week. The three student-athletes were honored for their performances at last weekend's Sorlien Memorial Invitational, hosted by the University of Rhode Island.

At 1000 meters, Nygaard finished third in 2:34.62, and qualified for the Division III New England Championships. Perry won the triple jump with a leap of 46 feet, 11 inches, provisionally qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championships with his mark, the third best in UMD history. Banks placed in all three of her events, and broke her own school triple jump record in the process. She finished fourth in the triple jump at 36 feet, 1 ¼ inches; placed fourth in the 55 meter dash in 7.48 seconds after running 7.43 seconds in the trials, and finished fifth at 200 meters in 27.46 seconds.

"We've had three meets, and Ezra has gotten this award three times," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Steve Gardiner. "She's had a great start to her freshman year. Each meet, she keeps jumping farther and running faster, and we're pleased with her progress. It was Chris' debut for UMass Dartmouth, and it was nice to see him get a provisional qualifying mark in his first meet. He started off right about where we figured that he would. It was great to see Eric come off the break and only run two seconds off his personal best time in the 1000. He was right in the race, and it bodes well for what his times will be throughout the season."

The Corsairs will return to action when they visit Springfield Saturday.